Out-of-the-Box Student Housing Amenities

Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, has the largest rock climbing wall (among all the universities in the Lone Star state) for its students, as well as golf cart rides back to the dorms from late-night study sessions at the library. Sterling Alvarado in San Diego (pictured) offers Cup of Yo poolside yogurt delivery. (Guess nobody eats ramen anymore?) So, why are universities and private student housing projects providing such resort-style treatment? Humphreys & Partners Architects prez Greg Faulkner says that’s how they get their properties fully leased. 

A.F. Payne Photographic

So, how do sweet amenities like this lazy river at Residential Housing Development’s The District on Apache in Tempe, Ariz, impact student grades? Greg speculates that it might be a little hard to concentrate on studying while floating around. (If they aren't distracted by that, though, it'll be something else.)

33N near the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, features a rock n’ roll themed bathroom. Fountain Residential Partners prez Brent Little says “it’s not your parent’s restroom.” (Though those look like the Rolling Stones lips so maybe it is.)

Creative amenities aren’t a new trend, says Biddison Hier higher ed planning consultant Tom Hier. In the older housing at the College of William and Mary, there was the gown room where the girls kept their formal dresses. At another time, the showerheads in the girls’ bathrooms were placed below head-level so that the girls could shower without messing up their bouffant hairdos.